Street Law Chapter 1 - What Is Law?

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Civil Lawsuit

A lawsuit between two or more people over non-criminal activities such as breach of contract. Can be brought against a person by someone who feels wronged or injured by that person.

Criminal Lawsuit

A lawsuit brought by the government against a person charged with committing a crime

Felony

A serious crime for which penalties are generally higher. (Examples: Arson, murder.)

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Adopted in 1948 under Elanor Rooseveltm a statement of human rights agreed to by almost every country

Prohibition

Became law in 1919 but was repealed four years later because the activity actually increased and the law was not enforced

Federalism

Division of power between the national and state governments

Gender Equity

Giving equal rights and benefits to all genders

Limited Government

Has its powers restricted by the federal government

reasonable doubt

If the jury is not sure beyond any __________ _____ that the defendant is guilty they must vote not to convict him or her.

Unconstitutional

In violation with the provisions of the US Constitution

Checks and Balances

Keep any one branch or person or group of people from becoming too powerful

rights, responsibilities, majority, minority

Laws must balance ______ with ________________, and the will of the ________ with the rights of the ________.

Perjury

Lying under oath

Defendant

Person accused of a crime

Misdemeanor

Petty crime. (Examples: Shoplifting, streaking.)

Reserved Powers

Powers given to the state government alone

Covenent of economic, social, and cultural rights

Rights to a job, adequate working conditions and salary, and to own private property

Law

Rules and regulations made and enforced by the government that control the conduct of people within a society

Affirmitive Action

Steps taken by an organization to remedy past discrimination in hiring, paying, promoting, and educating, by recruiting minorities and women

Separation of Powers

The division of our government into three branches

Bill of Rights

The first ten Ammendments to the Constitution, dealing with human rights.

Prosecutor

The government attorney in a criminal case

Executive Branch

The law-enforcing branch

Judicial Branch

The law-interpreting branch

Legislative Branch

The law-making branch

Preponderance of Evidence

The lowest requirement of proof that the jury is certain of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt

Genocide

The mass killing of a race

Plaintiff

The person or company allegedly harmed by the defendant

Judicial Review

The power of the court to declare laws unconstitutional

Veto

The president has the right to ____ any bill that he does not want to see passed. It takes 2/3 vote in Congress to overrie this.

Human Rights

The rights all people have just because they are humans. They give dignity and respect to all.

Jurisprudence

The study of law and legal philosophy

False (It may be wrong to lie to your friend, but it isn't illegal.)

True or False: Everything immoral is illegal.

True

True or False: Laws can be based on moral, economic, political, or social values.

Moral Values

Values that deal with fundamental questions of right and wrong. (Example: Murder vs Self-Defense)

Social Values

Values that deal with issues that are important to society. (These frequently change. Example: All students must be provided with free public education through high school. Once upon a time, many kids didn't even go to school.)

Economic Values

Values that deal with the use and distribution of wealth. (Example: Tax benefits for those who take out loans for a home.)

Political Values

Values that reflect the relationship between the government and individuals. (Example: Laws make it easy to vote and promote citizen participation.)

human rights, conflict, fairness

We expect our legal system to protect basic _____ ______, resolve _______s, and promote ________.

Watergate

When Nixon's men steal tapes containing information about other presidential candidates from Watergate tower. He was not empeached but rather he resigned.


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